One of my Indian co-workers was telling me the other day of his intention to buy a bicycle for riding to work. He currently drives a motorcycle (referred to here as a 2-wheeler), but feels the extra exercise of a bike would do him good. I learned that it's not that simple, as you can see in the following close-as-I-can-remember account of our conversation:
Him: Status is very important to people here. When they see me on a bike, they'll think I can't afford a 2-wheeler.
Me: Back home we have bumper stickers on cars that say something like, "My other vehicle is a BMW." You could put one on your bike that says, "My other vehicle is a 2-wheeler."
Him: Yes, but then they'll think, oh, he can't afford the petrol (gas) for his 2-wheeler. I'll have to further explain on my sign, ". . . and yes, I can afford the petrol. I'm riding this for the exercise." To which they will respond, "Aha, he can't afford a membership to a health club!"
Ah, so glad we've gotten beyond such pettiness back home. ;- )
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1 comment:
He should realize that the problem on this particular issue is not that status is very important to "people here" but to HIM. Why should he care what anonymous people in traffic think about his financial condition?
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